A Conservation Safari

This 8-night safari is a superb way to get close to the wilderness and wildlife of South Africa, and makes an excellent family safari too.

On arrival in Johannesburg you will be driven to Black Leopard Camp. Time to relax, unwind and recuperate, acclimatise yourself to the African bush. You also have the next day here, and the rangers will take you on a morning bush walk, where they will introduction you to wildlife tracking and provide a few tips and pointers to quickly hone your bush senses. During the afternoon, you will have an opportunity to join game rangers from the Ingwe Leopard Project, tracking leopards within the immediate research area. Ideal preparation for any safari! In the evening, sundowners served in the bush and transport back to the main lodge for dinner.

You will spend one night in Kruger National Park, then have two nights in the exclusive Sabi Sands Game Reserve. On arrival in Sabi Sands, you will have time to settle in before an evening game drive, skirting the river basin and returning to your lodge for a sumptuous dinner in the main lapa. After dinner, you will be afforded the unique opportunity to enjoy a late night game drive (should you wish). This exclusive event provides a chance to share the wilderness at night and enjoy sounds and senses, which are heightened in big five country. Coffee is served on our open vehicles as we silently wait and listen to the sounds of the night, ready to move to centre stage as the drama of the nocturnal opera begins.

On day five, you have an early morning wake-up and an invigorating cup of fresh coffee in the lounge. You will then set off on your early morning game drive. We hope to check out scenes from the previous evenings events; however, each safari offers a new exciting experience. The early morning game drive will return to your lodge for brunch, after which you have the option of taking an accompanied bush walk. An opportunity to trail in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve is an experience that will never be forgotten. The trail will return for a well-deserved rest during the heat of the day, where you have time to relax or enjoy the plunge pool overlooking the riverbed, which is often host to zebra, buffalo, giraffe, elephant, rhino, and lion. The afternoon safari activity will start after high tea and will usually comprise of a short drive in the game vehicle to a specific location, after which you will depart on foot for a short trail, then, having returned to the vehicle will enjoy sundowners away from camp before returning to a delicious supper that awaits them. After dinner, groups are again afforded the chance to enjoy an extended late night game drive if they wish. We may stay out late into the night or early into the next day so that we can fully appreciate all the nocturnal events, the choice is yours.

You return to Black Leopard Camp in time for dinner on day six.

At Black Leopard Camp you have the opportunity to join our rangers on their dawn rounds, before breakfast. You can also enjoy taking bush walks with the aim of taking casts of leopard spoor, monitoring leopard behaviour within the Thaba Tholo Reserve, siting camera traps, hiking around the mountain trails with a refreshing dip in the mountain streams and rivers, or a cultural visit to the Lydenburg heads museum and a local Farm school which is sponsored by Eco Track Safaris and their On Track Safari guests.